This is a public webinar. You can register here.

The international trading system that has delivered value for Aotearoa New Zealand over the last 30 years now stands at an inflection point. New Zealand along with other partners is facing an uncertain and complex environment in which to do business internationally.

This webinar will explore how these developments impact New Zealand’s trading interests. It will look at how major partners of New Zealand in the Asia Pacific region are reacting to this new reality. The webinar will consider the options now before us and evaluate the best way to ensure that trade continues to meet the aspirations of the region’s governments and their people.

Speakers

Devon Whittle
Former Australian trade negotiator
A former Australian trade negotiator and lawyer having worked for over seven years in Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. During that time, Devon negotiated and advised on a range of bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral negotiations, including RCEP, IPEF and at the WTO, and with ASEAN, the European Union, India and the United Kingdom. Devon now leads the Australian office of a non-profit policy advocacy organisation, focused on global catastrophic risk. He also provides regular commentary and input on international trade law and policy, including through work with regional think tanks, academic publications, and his online newsletter.

Dr. Deborah Elms
Head of Trade Policy | Hinrich Foundation
Dr. Elms is Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was the Executive Director and Founder of the Asian Trade Centre (ATC). She was also President of the Asia Business Trade Association (ABTA) and the Board Director of the Asian Trade Centre Foundation (ATCF). Dr. Elms received a PhD in political science from the University of Washington, an MA in International Relations from the University of Southern California, and bachelor’s degrees from Boston University. She is the author of numerous articles, editor of several books, and regularly published the Talking Trade Blog. Dr. Elms also routinely appears on television and in major newspapers and magazines around the world to comment on trade and economic issues. Dr. Elms also makes frequent appearances at a range of global trade and economic workshops, conferences, capacity building sessions, and negotiations.

Philip Turner
Beachheads Advisor | New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
In a career divided between business and diplomacy, Philip has spent over 20 years working in Japan, Korea and China. From 2018 to 2023 he served as New Zealand Ambassador to South and North Korea, based in Seoul. Before that he spent 18 years with New Zealand’s largest company, Fonterra Cooperative, in leadership roles in Japan, China, Europe and New Zealand.

In 2009-2013 he was President of Fonterra China, based in Shanghai. He also served as a diplomat in Tokyo and Brussels. Now based in Tokyo, he balances consulting, writing, teaching and study. He is a Beachheads Advisor for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, teaches business and international relations at Lakeland University in Tokyo, and is completing a PhD thesis at Waseda University. He is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University Wellington and a member of the Executive Committee of the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

Stephen Jacobi
Senior Honorary Fellow | The Helen Clark Foundation
Stephen Jacobi currently serves as New Zealand Director for the Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum which brings together business and government to create greater prosperity, security and sustainability for both countries.

A former diplomat and trade official, Stephen has served in various capacities including stints leading both NZ US and NZ China Councils as well as the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). Stephen serves as Managing Director of Jacobi Consulting Ltd and has recently stepped down as Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum. He is a frequent media and public commentator on industry, trade and international issues.

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